Srinivas BV, Youth Congress President, on Tuesday was manhandled by a Delhi Police personnel during a protest against party chief Sonia Gandhi’s questioning by the Enforcement Directorate.

Srinivas, who protesting towards New Delhi’s Vijay Chowk along with other Congress leaders, was pushed in a car and then held by his neck. The 41-year-old’s hair were pulled too. 

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“We are trying to identify the staff. Disciplinary action would be initiated against the staff after identification,” Delhi Police said, as per news agency ANI. 

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“I was hit. Aap log kyu maar rahe?” (Why are you hitting me?) the Youth Congress president asked, to which an RAF personnel replied, “No one is hitting you.”

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Who is Srinivas BV?

Popularly known as the Oxygen Man of India, Srinivas BV, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, helped several migrant workers stranded in Mumbai to reach back home in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. 

During the second wave, the Youth Congress President helped facilitating emergency supplies of essential drugs and oxygen. He went on to assemble a group of 1000 IYC volunteers in Delhi for COVID-19 relief.

“Delhi police constables laughing & pulling @IYC national chief @srinivasiyc by his hair. Srinivas the “Oxygen man of india” had provided people with beds, Ventilators and cylinders during the pandemic. Even Media & foreign consulates had reached out to him for Oxygen. SHAMEFUL!” AICC incharge Dr. Ajoy Kumar tweeted. 

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Srinivas hails from the Shimoga district of Karnataka. Before joining politics, he played under-19 and under-16 cricket for Karnataka. 

The 41-year-old started his political career with the NSUI in Bangalore. He then became a block president of the Indian Youth Congress. Rising through the ranks, Srinivas in 2010 led a protest against Pramod Muthalik. He smeared black paint on his face for the right wing activist’s stand against Valentine’s Day celebrations

In October 2010 he received ‘Best Youth Congress Worker’ award from Rahul Gandhi. Srinivas also held the posts of IYC National Secretary and National General Secretary.